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The Ballad of Charlie Clyde

‘Being a lad is not so bad!’ A father chides his wilful son - in rhyme.

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1981 3 mins

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Logo for North East Film Archive

Overview

‘Being a lad is not so bad!’ is a father’s message in rhyme to a cranky son who feels there’s always something better to be had. This animation by a Sunderland filmmaker – his first and last - captures the imagination and ennui of childhood, with a gentle warning that there’s a world of danger out there for runaway boys. The film won an Institute of Amateur Cinematographers (IAC) British International Amateur Film award in 1985.

Michael Gough began to make Super 8 films in the 1960s, from home movies to documentaries, and joined the Newcastle Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA) in the 1970s. His documentary Welcome to Washington (also featured on BFI Player) won the Minolta Award for Best Editing in Movie Maker Magazine’s Ten Best competition in 1978.